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Pakistan beat South Africa by 25 runs to level series 1-1

Saturday, October 20, 2007


LAHORE: Pakistani bowlers did splendid job to get Pakistan a marvelous 25-run victory over South Africa with three balls left after star batsman Muhammad Yousuf inspired with a magnificent century. Thus, the five-match series has been leveled 1-1 as the Protease had won the first match by 45 runs.

Set a target of 266 runs, South Africa made a disastrous start as they lost their two experienced batsmen Herschelle Gibbs and Jacquis Kallis in the first two overs for only four runs on the board. Both batsmen were out for a duck.

However, captain Graeme Smith and A.B. de Villiers rescued their team and carried the score to 80 when de Villiers was dismissed by Iftikhar Anjum for 35.

Then, wicket began to fall at regular intervals but Smith stood at the crease for long. Ultimately, he was dismissed by left-arm spinner Abdul Rehman for a solid 65, which he made off 96 balls with five fours.

Later, Shaun Pollock and Morkel resisted for a while but both got out for 37 and 31, respectively and then Umar Gul and Iftikhar Anjum mopped up the tail as South Africa were all out for 240 in 49.3 overs.

Iftikhar Anjum and Umar Gul captured three wickets each for 43 and 59, respectively while Sohail Tanveer, Abdul Rehman and Shahid Afridi took one wicket each.

Earlier, Muhammad Yousuf ‘s magnificent century helped Pakistan to make 265-9 in the allotted 50 overs.
He scored 117 runs, his second hundred against South Africa and 13th overall in 244 One-day Internationals. He faced 143 balls and hit nine boundaries. He was later adjudged the man-of-the-match.

During his innings, Yousuf was involved in three major partnerships – 60 with Younus Khan (32) for third wicket, 107 with Shoaib Malik (56) for fourth and 41 with Misbah-ul-Haq (21) for fifth wicket.

After winning the toss first time int the series, captain Shoaib Malik opted for batting but his openers let him down again as both were dismissed for 13 runs.

Then Yousuf and Younus took the score to safety and later Yousuf and Shoaib strengthened the position.

However, Shahid Afridi could not repeat the innings which he played in the previous match and after opening his account with a huge six was caught at boundary line on the very next ball.

From South Africa, pace bowlers Albie Morkel, Makhaya Ntini and Charl Langeveldt claimed two wickets each while Shaun Pollock and Jacquis Kallis got one wicket each.

Man of The Match: Muhammad Yousuf

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Will Pakistan Premier League gain success just like Indian Premier League ?